"Tony had an opportunity today to date, to make real and detailed commitments to the university sector about their funding, he failed to do so," he said.

"So I think universities would be right to be very concerned about their funding under an Abbott government."

The National Union of Students also says Mr Abbott needs to provide more details for student aid and course funding, adding the Coalition is being deliberately vague about its plans for higher education.

The principle issue here is funding of universities and it's essential that universities continue to be funded adequately both for the sake of their domestic and international students.

Michael Chaney, chair of the Government's International Education Advisory Council

But the nation's universities want more money from both sides of politics.

Belinda Robinson from Universities Australia says an annual funding increase of 2.5 per cent over five years is needed.

"To bring us to a level that would put us mid-range around other developed nations - the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) nations."

International education is Australia's fourth largest export and contributes $15 billion annually to the economy.

Michael Chaney, the chair of the Government's International Education Advisory Council, says the industry will suffer if not funded properly.

"The principle issue here is funding of universities and it's essential that universities continue to be funded adequately both for the sake of their domestic and international students," he said.

He says online education is important, but is largely a responsibility for individual universities.